Officials Brief Kazakhstan-Based Diplomatic Community on Draft Constitution
ALMATY – The revisions of Kazakhstan’s Сonstitution reflect over 84% changes compared to the existing text, said Constitutional Court Chairperson Elvira Azimova as she briefed the diplomatic corps on the proposed amendments on Feb. 16.

From L to R: Yerlan Sarsembayev, Bakyt Nurmukhanov, Elvira Azimova, Arman Issetov. Photo credit: The Astana Times/ Nargiz Raimbekova.…
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Kazakhstan, Finland in Talks on Tractor Production Localization, Agritech
ASTANA — Kazakhstan and Finland discussed plans to localize agricultural tractor production and expand cooperation in agritech during a working visit to Finland by Vice Minister of Agriculture Yermek Kenzhekhanuly.

The discussions build on the strategic partnership reaffirmed by Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Alexander Stubb in October 2025. Photo credit: gov.kz

The talks focused…
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Regional Ecological Summit in Astana to Address Energy Transition, Climate Risks
ALMATY – Central Asia’s energy transition will be on the agenda of the Regional Ecological Summit (RES 2026) in Astana on April 22–24, with one of the key panel sessions organized by Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry.

Photo credit: eeas.europa.eu

The panel will focus on approaches to a just energy transition amid rising global energy demand,…
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Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic Pledge to Deepen Strategic Alliance and Economic Ties
ALMATY – Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic are continuing to strengthen their bilateral ties, with trade reaching $2 billion and plans to bring it to $3 billion, Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev said during an official visit to Bishkek on Feb. 13.

From L to R: Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and Kyrgyz President…
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Kazakhstan’s Assaubayeva Secures Historic Qualification for 2026 Women’s Freestyle Chess Championship
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva defeated Switzerland’s Alexandra Kosteniuk in a women’s exhibition match held alongside the Freestyle Chess World Championship in Germany, becoming the first player to qualify for the 2026 Women’s Freestyle Chess World Championship.

Kosteniuk and Assaubayeva at the prize giving. Photo credit: Lennart Ootes/Freestyle Chess.

The four-game match, played in…
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Kazakh FM Reaffirms Support for UN, Outlines Constitutional Reform at Almaty Meeting
ASTANA — Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev met with heads of United Nations agencies operating in the country on Feb. 14 in Almaty to discuss constitutional reform, sustainable development priorities and regional initiatives.

Photo credit: gov.kz

Kosherbayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to the UN Charter and the organization’s central role in maintaining international peace, security…
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Kazakhstan’s Ski Jumper Finishes 8th at Winter Olympics, Sets National Record
ALMATY – Kazakhstan’s ski jumper Ilya Mizernykh delivered the best Olympic result in the country’s history, finishing eighth in the men’s large hill event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 15.

Ilya Mizernykh. Photo credit: National Olympic Committee/Turar Kazangapov.

Two athletes represented Kazakhstan in the competition’s final round. Mizernykh scored 281.6…
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Kazakhstan, Singapore Launch Quantum Technology Center in Almaty
ALMATY – The Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) launched the Kazakh-Singaporean Center for Quantum Technologies, located within the Farabi Hub Center for Innovative Products and High-Tech Projects on Feb. 16. The new facility is aimed to become the cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s emerging national quantum ecosystem.

The Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) officially launched the…
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Burkasyn Festival Spotlights Winter Sports in Astana
ASTANA – Astana celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Burkasyn winter festival on Feb. 14, bringing together families, amateur athletes, and sports enthusiasts along the Yessil River embankment in Central Park.

Photo credit : The Astana Times / Nargiz Raimbekova Click to see the map in full size. The map is designed by The…
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Kazakhstan to Transform Beef Industry from Commodity Supplier to Premium Exporter
ASTANA — Kazakhstan is seeking to reposition its beef industry from a commodity-based supplier to a value-added premium exporter, as industry leaders unveiled a comprehensive export ecosystem and market consolidation strategy at the Dala.Camp Forum 2026 in Burabai on Feb. 14.

Photo credit: Turan Livestock Association.

Opening the forum, Chairman of the Board of…
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Tokayev Presents State Honors to Kazakh Fighters After Dubai SWAT Victory
ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev honored the winners of the UAE SWAT Challenge 2026 international tournament on Feb. 16, praising their performance as a testament to Kazakhstan’s growing prestige on the global stage.

Photo credit: Akorda

Congratulating the teams, Tokayev said they had demonstrated the “unwavering spirit of Kazakh warriors” in one of the…
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What Kazakhstan’s Digital Code Brings to Citizens and Businesses
ASTANA – Kazakhstan has taken a major step toward regulating life online with the signing of the new Digital Code on Jan. 9, a sweeping legal framework designed to protect rights and bring order to the country’s rapidly expanding digital environment.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Experts view the Digital Code as moving the digital environment…
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Tokayev Honors Ersin Baltagul as Sumo Champion Plans Youth Academy in Kazakhstan
ASTANA – Award-winning Kazakh professional sumo wrestler Ersin Baltagul has announced plans to open a children’s sumo school in Kazakhstan, aiming to develop young talent and promote the sport nationwide.

Kazakh professional sumo wrestler Ersin Baltagul with President Tokayev. Photo credit: Akorda

Baltagul, known in Japan as Kinbozan, said the future of Kazakh sumo…
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Kazakhstan Strengthens Agricultural Processing and Expands Export Reach
ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s agricultural processing sector continues to show steady growth and rising export potential, said Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov during a Feb. 17 government meeting, reporting on the results of 2025.

Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov. Photo credit: gov.kz

Last year, food production reached 3.9 trillion tenge (US$7.9 billion), up 8.1% year-on-year. Investments in…
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Kazakhstan Expands Oil Refining, Gas Processing and Petrochemical Capacity
ASTANA – Kazakhstan is undertaking a major expansion of its oil refining, gas processing, and petrochemical industries, aiming to boost oil processing capacity from 18.4 to 40 million tons per year, eliminate domestic fuel shortages by 2033, and increase production of value-added petrochemical products for both domestic use and export, the Deputy Minister of…
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EDB and Eurasian Bank Provide Long-Term Financing for Ust-Kamenogorsk CHPP Modernization
ASTANA — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), acting as the lead financial institution, and Eurasian Bank have provided $180 million in long-term debt financing to modernize and expand the Ust-Kamenogorsk Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHPP), part of the Kazakhstan Utility Systems Group.

Photo credit: EDB

The EDB also provided grant financing to support…
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Kazakhstan and Tajikistan Advance Strategic Partnership After Foreign Minister’s Visit
ASTANA – Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev met with President Emomali Rahmon and Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan on Feb. 16 to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation, as part of his official visit to Dushanbe.

Yermek Kosherbayev met with President Emomali Rahmon as part of his visit to Dushanbe on Feb. 16. Photo credit:…
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Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Target Higher Railway Freight Volumes
ASTANA — Kazakh Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev held an online meeting with his Uzbek counterpart Ilkhom Makhkamov to discuss railway sector cooperation. The talks focused on enhancing Kazakhstan’s transit potential and increasing transit cargo volumes to 55 million tons.

Photo credit:KTZ

To ensure steady growth in cargo traffic and achieve the agreed throughput capacity,…
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Central Asia Seeks Unified Strategy on Afghanistan
ASTANA – The Kazakh capital convened an extraordinary meeting of the Regional Contact Group of Special Representatives of Central Asian countries on Afghanistan on Feb. 16, with trade and economic ties as well as transit topping the agenda.

The meeting brought together the representatives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Photo credit: Kazakh Foreign…
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Kazakhstan’s Gas Production Hits Record While Domestic Supply Faces Growing Pressure
ASTANA – Last year, Kazakhstan’s gas sector achieved historic production levels, reaching 68.1 billion cubic meters, but rising imports and accelerating domestic tariffs highlight structural challenges in meeting internal demand.

Photo credit: Pand P Studio/Shutterstock.

Kazakhstan’s natural gas production, including associated petroleum gas, surged 15% in 2025 compared with 2024, reaching 1.5 times the…
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Kuwaiti-Kazakh Diplomacy: Model for Sustainable International Cooperation
In a world accelerating with geopolitical and economic transformations, the relations between Kuwait and Kazakhstan stand out as a unique model of international partnership based on mutual respect. Despite the vast geographical distance separating the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf from the expansive steppes of Central Asia, the two countries have succeeded in…
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